The Toronto Raptors have secured Kawhi Leonard’s future, announcing Wednesday that the star forward has signed a multi-year contract extension with the franchise.
Toronto did not reveal the financial details of the agreement, in line with team policy. The extension comes after the Raptors acquired Leonard from the Los Angeles Clippers on September 14, bringing the two-time NBA champion back to the team he helped lead to its first title.
Leonard arrives in Toronto following another productive season with the Clippers. The 6-foot-6, 225-pound forward averaged a career-best 27.9 points along with 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 65 games. He averaged 32.1 minutes per contest and extended his run of seasons averaging at least 20 points to seven.
His performances also earned him a seventh-place finish in MVP voting. Leonard was selected to the All-NBA Second Team and featured in the NBA All-Star Game.
The move represents a return to familiar surroundings for Leonard, who previously spent the 2018-19 season with Toronto. That campaign ended with the Raptors winning their first NBA championship, with Leonard playing a central role in the title run.
He was named NBA Finals MVP and also earned All-NBA Second Team and All-Defensive Second Team honours during his memorable season in Toronto.
The Los Angeles native has built an accomplished career across 14 NBA seasons. He has played 798 regular-season games, starting 769 of them, during spells with the San Antonio Spurs, Raptors and Clippers.
Leonard holds career averages of 20.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.7 steals while playing 31.8 minutes per game.
His list of individual honours includes seven NBA All-Star selections, seven All-NBA selections and seven All-Defensive Team honours. Leonard is also a two-time NBA champion, two-time NBA Finals MVP and two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
In 2021, he was selected to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team.
Leonard entered the league as the 15th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. He was initially selected by the Indiana Pacers before his draft rights were traded to San Antonio.
With his new multi-year extension now agreed, Leonard is set for another extended chapter with the franchise where he previously enjoyed one of the defining seasons of his career.
